Woman’s Love for Dogs turns into Barking Business

Kim Novak spends most of her time doing what she loves the most - helping dogs recover from physical illness and injury.  Prior to 2009, Ms. Novak maintained a steady career in the healthcare industry, but her creative business idea came to mind when a fellow colleague mentioned K9 massage treatment.  Ms. Novak decided to look into it.  During her research, she found a rehabilitation school for dogs and immediately enrolled knowing this practice would be her life’s work.  In 2006, she obtained her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification followed by her Certified Canine Master Trainer (Conditioning) Certification;  three short years later she founded K9 Conditioning and Rehabilitation Services (K9 CARS) beginning her small business journey.

Ms. Novak immediately turned to the Small Business Development Center at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.  She received assistance with writing a business plan, generating financial projections and the development of a marketing plan.  Additionally, in 2010 she obtained a microloan to purchase an underwater treadmill allowing for specialized treatment and effective rehabilitation to canine patients.

Today K9 Conditioning and Rehabilitation Services employs two full-time staff and manages many dog loving volunteers.  Sales have increased each year despite setbacks such as Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 which damaged K9 CARS property.  K9 CARS has maintained a stronghold on the market share as they are the only canine rehabilitation in the Coastal Bend area.  Ms. Novak was recognized in 2017 as the Women in Business Champion of the Year for the Corpus Christi Branch Office.  From the owner “The SBDC has helped me accelerate my plans and dreams tremendously!”